Cap hopper



July 10, 1962 A. w. WELLER CAP HOPPER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1959 July 10, 1962 A. w. WELLER CAP HOPPER 3 she ets-sheet 2 Filed May 27, 1959 July 1962 A. w. WELLER v $043,416

CAP HOPPER Filed May 27, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ired States 3,043,416 CAP HOPPER Arthur W. Weller, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Rosina Automatic Machinery Co., Inc., Brooklyn, N. a corporation of New Yark Filed May 27, 1959, Ser. No. 816,092 Claims. {CL 198-33) This invention relates generally to the field of capping devices, and more particularly to an improved cap hopper for use in conjunction therewith.

Hopper devices of this type are well known in the art, and are normally adapted tofeed in succession a plurality of caps or closures in predetermined orientation to a point of discharge into a chute where they fall under the action of gravity to a point at which the devices are installed upon an open container or a bottle. Such hoppers include means for agitating caps so that they fall upon a guide which properly orients them for travel to the upper end of the chute, or rejects them to be returned to a common pile within the hopper for reagitation. Such hoppers can be arranged to feed a number of uniformly sized objects, which are usually of circular configuration.

In prior art constructions, the hopper has included a rotating dial centrally supported for rotation within a housing, the central bearing having a plurality of spider arms which support a peripheral rim, which when rotating provides a cap orienting action. This rotating dial, when installed in a cap hopper device of relatively modest capacity, may often weigh well over a hundred pounds and when the dial is removed or partially adjusted, resort must be made to an overhead block and tackle or other lifting device before the same can be disconnected from the hopper construction. Where different sizes and shapes of caps are employed, it will be readily appreciated that a change from one size cap to another entails considerable effort each time a change is made.

The present invention relates to an improved type of hopper of the above described class which utilizes a plurality of teeth which are adapted to project into the hollow portion of a properly oriented cup-shaped cap, whereby the caps may be passed in proper orientation for subsequent transport to discharge. The dial means upon which the teeth are mounted is not supported on a centrally disposed spindle as in prior art devices, but is peripherally supported, whereby the weight of the same may be but a small fraction of that of prior art dial constructions, thereby permitting the same to be readily adjusted, and/or removed to facilitate replacement of the same, whereby the same may be accomplished by a single op erator, without resort to lifting devices. The teeth are arranged in a radial pattern concentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the agitating members of the hopper, so that a relatively large number of caps may be passed at a single instant, thereby permitting the hopper to supply a greater number of oriented caps over a given time interval than has previously been the case in prior art devices.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved hopper means in which the dial mechanism may be of relatively skeletonized construction, whereby interference with caps and jamming of the same owing to the presence of the centrally disposed bearing and radially extending spider arms is substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved hopper means capable of operating with a much higher rate of discharge or output than comparable prior art devices.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved cap hopper structure, which may be quickly adapted for use in conjunction with a wide range of sizes plane 5-5 on FIGURE 4.

2 of caps, it being necessary to replace only a relatively small lightweight part or parts of the structure to complete such adjustment within a minimum of time.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved .cap hopper construction, in which the number of moving parts has been reduced to a minimum, thereby assuring a relatively long trouble-free useful life, with a minimum of repair.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved cap hopper construction of the class described, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of automatic means for discontinuing operation of the hopper during such time as the cap chute, which it feeds, is completely filled with caps until further demand is made.

A feature of the invention lies in the provision of a plurality of interchangeable tooth-bearing annular ring members which quickly adapt the device for use in conjunction with a relatively wide variety of shapes as well as sizes of hollow caps or closures. The invention contemplates the provision of tooth profiles which individually may be accommodated to operate in conjunction with a variety of caps within a given size range without replacement.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing driving means and shut-off control means which comprises a part of the embodiment.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view showing an alternate form of shut-off control means.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view, partly broken away to show detail of the embodiment.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation showing a portion of the interchangeable toothed wheel which comprises a part of the embodiment.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 7-7 on FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in section corresponding to the lower portion of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 9-9 on FIGURE 4.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, is shown in conjunction with a power-operated capping machine 11. of a type generally well known in the art, the same including a frame 12 upon which the device 10 is mounted. The device 10 includes broadly: a support element 16, a relatively fixed housing element 14, a rotating drum element 16, drum driving means 17, cap orienting means 18, and chute means 19.

The support element 13 is adapted to be secured to an upperplate 21 of the frame 12, and includes a horizontal plate engaging member 22, a vertical fiange member 23 and an upper platform 2'4.

The housing element 14 is generally cylindrical in configuration, and includes a cylindrical flange 3-2 and a radial flange 33 forming a circular opening 34. Fitted within the opening 34 is a hopper bin 35 including a curvilinear 3 wall 36 having a sloped inner surface 37. Unoriented caps are introduced at the upper opening 33, and travel under the force of gravity to the lower opening 39 prior to passing through the opening 34 aligned therewith.

The rotating drum element 16 includes a generally cylindrical drum member 42 having an inner surface 43 forming a throat in which caps are agitated. The surface 4-3 is bounded by an outer end 44 which is aligned with the lower opening 39 in the hopper bin 35 and an inner end 46 having a radially arranged flange 53. Threaded studs 54 are engaged within the curved circular surface 55 as best seen in FIGURE 8. First and second raceways 56 and 57, respectively, are provided with roller bearings 58 and 59 to provide for free rotational movement of the drum member with respect to the housing element 14. A supporting stud 6G is provided with an auxiliary roller 61 which bears against the side 62. of a ring gear 63 to prevent axial tilt of the drum member with respect to the housing element.

The drum driving means 17 is best seen in FIGURE 2 and includes a motor and gear box generally indicated by reference character 66, an electrically actuated clutch member 67, and an output shaft 68 having a pulley 69 thereon. Belt means 70 interconnects the pulley 69 with a second pulley 71 on a shaft 72. The shaft 72. has mounted thereon a pinnion 73 engageable with the ring gear 63 on the drum member 42, and is supported in bearings 74 on the housing element 14.

The cap orienting means 18 includes a drum insert ring member 76 and a toothed ring member 77, both of which are interchangeable to provide accommodations for varying sizes and shapes of caps.

The drum insert ring member 76 includes a first planar surface 78 positioned within a rabbetted portion 79 of the drum member 42 by the studs 54 mentioned hereinabove. The insert ring also includes a curvilinear surface 81 as well as a second planar surface 82 and a compound curved surface 83, the purpose of which will more fully appear hereinafter.

The toothed ring member 77 includes a radial flange portion 84 provided with threaded stud means 85 engageable with the flange 53'. The space between the flange portion 84 and the flange 53 is variable by means of spacers 80. A cylindricfl flange portion 86 mounts threaded stud means 87 which in turn support a closure plate 88 covering the opening formed by the toothed ring member 77. If desired, the plate 88 may be formed of lucite or plexiglass, so that the condition of caps disposed within the device may be readily observed at all times.

Arranged around the inner periphery of the ring 77 are a plurality of equally sized teeth 89 separated by equally sized interstices 90. As best seen in FIGURE 5, the inner surface 91 of the flange portion 84 is provided with a series of resiliently mounted advancement buttons 92 at spaced intervals.

The chute means 19 may be of any suitable type, and is preferably provided with a shroud member 94 which forms an overflow area 95 adjacent the mouth 96 of the chute. Disposed within a sensing area 97 in the upper portion of the chute is an electric eye scanning device 98 which controls the operation of the electrically actuated clutch 67. The lower portion 99 of the chute element 19 may be provided with gating means (not shown), as is well known in the art.

In .operation, a plurality of caps which may be of threaded,'lug-type, or of any other container-engagement configuration having a cup-shaped depression 101 are inserted in the opening 38. With rotation of the drum member 42;, caps are agitated so that a portion of the same will fall within the space formed between the ring members 76 and 77. Those which are properly oriented will fall in such manner that the teeth 89 will enter the depressions 101, and the space between the teeth and the surface 83 will permit the same to pivot about the crown portion of the teeth and fall into a collection area 102. Continued rotation of the drum member will cause the advancement buttons 92 to contact a group of such oriented caps and move them to the mouth 9'6 of the chute means 19. When the same has become filled, actuation of the scanning means 98 will halt further rotation, and any additional caps present may be allowed to accumulate in the overflow area of the shroud member 94. With the consumption of caps within the chute means, the scanning means 98 will again actuate the clutch 67, and operation is again resumed.

In the alternate form of construction shown in FIGURE 3, the electric eye scanning means 98 is substituted by a pivotally mounted mercury switch 105 having a sensing finger 1.06 which projects into the sensing area of the chute to control the action of the clutch 67 in a similar manner.

It is to be understood that it is not considered that the invention is limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps to a feed chute, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing element, means for driving said drum element, cap orientation means associated with said drum element including first and second circular ring members defining an annular space therebetween, and toothed means on one ofsaid ring members engageable within the hollow portions of said capping devices to allow passage of said capping devices into said annular space.

2. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps to a feed chute, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing element, means for driving said drum element, cap orientation means associated with said drum element including first and second circular ring members defining an annular space therebetween, and toothed means on one of said ring members engageable within the hollow portions of said capping devices to allow passage of said capping devices into said annular space; chute means associated with said annular space, and mean disposed within said annular space for advancing oriented caps to said feed chute means.

3. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps to a feed chute, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing element, means for driving said drum element, cap orientation means associated with said drum element including first and second circular ring members defining an annular space therebetween, and toothed means on one of said ring members engageable within the hollow portions of said capping devices into said annular space; chute means associated with said annular space, and means disposed within said annular space for advancing oriented caps to said chute means, said last mentioned means including an advancement member mounted upon one of said ring members.

4. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps to a feed chute, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing ele ment, means for driving said drum element, cap orientation means associated with said drum element including first and second circular ring members defining an annular space therebetween and projecting means on one of said ring members engageable within the hollow portions of said capping devices to allow passage of said capping devices into said annular space.

5. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps to a feed chute, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing element, means for driving said drum element, cap orientation means associated with said drum element including first and second circular ring members each defining a central opening and defining an annular space therebetween, said ring member being peripherally supported and projecting means on one of said ring members engageable within the hollow portions of said capping devices to allow passage of said capping devices into said annular space; chute means associated with said annular space, and means disposed within said annular space for advancing oriented caps to said chute means.

6. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps to a feed chute, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing element, means for driving said drum element, cap orientation means associated with said drum element including first and second circular ring members defining an annular space therebetween, and projecting means on one of said ring members engageable within the hollow portions of said capping devices into said annular space; chute means associated with said annular space, and means disposed within said annular space for advancing oriented caps to said chute means, said last mentioned means including an advancement member mounted upon one of said ring members.

7. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps to a feed chute, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing element, means for driving said drum element, cap orientation means associated with said drum element including first and second circular ring members defining an annular space therebetween, and toothed means on one of said ring members engageable within the hollow portions of said capping devices to allow passage of said capping devices into said annular space; chute means associated with said annular space, and means disposed within said annular space for advancing oriented caps to said chute means; said chute means including overflow means in the form of a shroud surrounding said annular space.

8. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps to a feed chute, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing element, means for driving said drum element, said drum element being peripherally supported within said housing element, cap orientation means associated with said drum element including first and second circular ring members, each defining a centrally disposed opening and an annular Space between said ring members, and tooth means on one of said ring members engageable within the hollow portions of said capping devices to allow passage of said capping devices into said annular space.

9. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps to a feed chute, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing element, means for driving said drum element, said drum element being peripherally supported within said housing element, cap orientation means associated with said drum element including first and second circular ring members, each defining a centrally disposed opening and an annular space between said ring members, and tooth means on one of said ring members engageable with the hollow portions of said capping devices to allow passage of said capping devices into said annular space; and mean-s disposed within said annular space for advancing oriented caps to said feed chute means.

10. In a hopper device for advancing a plurality of oriented hollow caps, the improvement comprising: a relatively fixed housing element, a drum element arranged for rotation within said housing element, a feed chute, and means to convey caps from said drum element to said feed chute, means for driving said drum element, and switch means controlled by the pressure of caps within said chute for in turn controlling operation of said driving means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 553,803 Bennett Jan. 28, 1896 1,423,990 Bremer July 25, 1922 2,133,353 Johnson Oct. 18, 1938 2,158,069 Grover May 16, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 277,347 Germany Aug. 11, 1914 

